Mostly first-generation Australians, the Fawkner MiniRoos are taking the little leagues by storm and promising a bright future for the nation in football.
Abby Dinham has the story.
They are the tiny titans of their football league, undefeated this season, and they're still losing baby teeth - the Fawkner under-8s MiniRoos.
Most are the first of their families to be born in Australia, after their parents migrated from Eritrea, on the Horn of Africa, at least a decade ago.
The youngest player is just five, but their skill level has meant their coach needs to carry around their birth certificates.
Aziz Omer says he's been asked more than once to produce documentation showing that the children are competing in the right age group.
"Every game pretty much. Some parents say no way at eight years old kids can play as good as this. But that's all right. They go and ask the officials and the documents are provided to them, so..."
It's a grassroots soccer club, born in the backyards of families of the Eritrean community north of Melbourne about two years ago.
Now the team competes in two different leagues, meets at least four times a week and is dominating every tournament it enters.
Founder Naser Naser says the club is a family environment that asks nothing from parents but participation.
"We spoke to the families, and get them the uniform and the soccer balls and all the gear they need for soccer. And we started like that."
This year the players found a home at the Fawkner Soccer Club, with support from FFA MiniRoos program launched last year to give kids a foundation in the sport and grow the game in Australia.
MiniRoos development officer Jorge Gero says the Fawkner under-8s are a great success story of the program.
"There's quite a bit of talent here and across the state as well. The game is growing and we're going from strength to strength. So hopefully a future Socceroo or even Matilda from the miniroos program soon to come."
The team also competes as the Red Sea soccer club in the off-season and also in futsal leagues.
They've amassed seven titles, and a very healthy and well-earned self-esteem.
Waleed, known as 'Little Aguero', for his goal scoring prowess, was instrumental in his team's cup-winning performance in a tournament in Shepparton in regional Victoria last weekend.
"The game nearly finished and it was one nil and I scored the goal. Then we went to penalty shootout and we won."
But glory comes at a cost.
Father of four boys Ahmed Saeed Ahmedine says it has to be school first, then football.
"It is a big bonus for them to study, because we promise them, if you do your homework we can go play football."
It's a desire they intend to take to the top levels.
"I'm going to be a soccer player and play for Barcelona."
"Real Madrid."
"Mmm Arsenal and Melbourne Victory ... yeah."
As they await the six-figure contracts, the confidence built on the pitch is spilling over into other aspects of life.
Coach Aziz Omer says the kids are excelling at school as well.
"A school he's the sports leader. Everyone wants to be around him. He takes 2-3 soccer balls with him and divides up the teams, so it really does help in other life as well."
The side is now set on further expanding their ranks and trophy case, and causing a few more upsets in the competition.
"So we tell them, we're the mighty mighty Fawkner .. Fawkner .. Fawkner"
Share
